Approx. $40,000 claimed during Oct. 15 Palmetto Payback Hometown Tour

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

(Columbia, SC) – Preliminary numbers show claims filed during State Treasurer Curtis Loftis’ Palmetto Payback Hometown Tour are valued at approximately $40,000. The number is likely to increase once attendees tell others to visit www.treasurer.sc.gov and pass word along about South Carolina’s Unclaimed Property Program.

District 103 Rep. Carl Anderson hosted two events in Horry and Georgetown Counties on Monday. Treasurer Loftis, his staff and volunteers from Horry-Georgetown Technical College helped look up claims for attendees.

“This is the true meaning of constituent service, I was amazed at how many claims we were able to find in just one day,” Rep. Anderson said. “I am grateful to Treasurer Loftis and his staff for traveling to my district and bringing this important program directly to the people. I’ve already asked the Treasurer when he can come back next. It just goes to show once you spread the word how many people can be helped.”

Claims generated at the two events included past payroll checks, utility deposits, tax refund checks, insurance policiesand forgotten bank accounts. Several claims were in the thousands of dollars. Even a college student volunteering at the Georgetown event found $200 in her name under an old utility deposit. Publicity from the Palmetto Payback Hometown Tour resulted in a 200% increase in overnight internet claims in the days following the events.

“It is such a pleasure to meet people and be able to tell them directly that they have money coming to them,” Treasurer Loftis said. “I thank Rep. Anderson for his service and commitment to his constituents by hosting us. If we can find $40,000 in just one day, imagine how many more people have cash they may not know about. I urge everyone to visit www.treasurer.sc.gov and look up their name in addition to family and friends.”

In less than a year since the Palmetto Payback Hometown Tour began, claim totals are in the hundreds with thousands of dollars returned to rightful owners across the state.